Cigar-bunching machine.



No. 694,625. Pat nted Mar. 4, I902.

m M. GARDNER. CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 20, 1901.)

(No Model.) 5'Sheets8heet l.

WITNEIEEEE'. INVENTDR'.

MICHAELYM. GARDNER;

. 6. BY I I 1- AT T Y5.

' c. m: NORRIS vzrzns 00.. n qu-ro-umo. msnmmon. a

No. 694,625. ,Patenfed Mar. 4, I902.

m. m. GARDNER.

CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE.

. (Application filed June 20, 19o 1.1; (No Model.)

All

WITNEES E:

. I NV E N T u R,

. WM MICHAEL M.GABDNER.

' A TYE.

No. 694.625. Patented Mar. 4, I902.

v M. M. GARDNER.

CIGAR BUNCHING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 20, 1901.)

(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

WITNESSEEZ' F 5 INVENTEIR'. g D MICHAEL M. GARDNER. I 4/ m c/i/% n4:Noam: PETERS co., vum'ouryoi. WASHINGTON; a. c.

'No. 694,625. Patented Mar. 4, I902.

- M. M. GARDNER.-

CIGAR BUNCHING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 20, 1901.| (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

A 4. I j Li's, I0. 6 c3 *Z i a c J Z\ k I FEEL WITNEEEEE INVENTEIR.

MICHAEL M. GARDNER. ,02 Mm I a 44- jww BY TYS- aams'nzrgnglcau vnomumo"WASHINGYDN, n c

-No. 694,625. Patented Mar. 4, I902.

M. M. GARDNER. CIGAR BUNCI'I'ING MACHINE.

(Applicntionflled June 20, 1901.

5 Sheets-Sheet. 5.

(No Model.)

INVENTEI'RI WITNESSES.

'm: NORRIS Pzrzns 120., PROTO'LITHO. WASHINGTON n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

MICHAEL M. GARDNER, OF EDGEVVOOD, RHODE ISLAND.

. ClGAR-BUNGHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATIQN forming art of Letters Patent No, 694,625, dated March 4,1902. Application filed June 20, 190T. Serial No. 65,273. (No model) Toall whom it may concern/r r Be it known that 1, MlOHAEL M. GARDNER, acitizen of the-United States of America, and

a resident of Edgewood,in the town of Gran 7 so called, and of the typein which the entire stripped leaf of tobacco is used for the fill-' Acigar-bunch-' in g machine of this class is clearly illustrated ers ofthe cigar-bunches.

and described in United States Patent No: 528,903, granted to Henry K.Gardner November 6, 189i. In that machine the suitably-prepared leavesof tobacco are superposed in a traveling trough, so as to form acomparatively thick layer or continuous strip or ribbon which is fed toa yielding ironing device adapted to flatten out or iron the strip oftobacco-leaves, so that the latter will lie straight'and even and at thesame time being substantially uniform in thickness. The thus-treatedstrip is intermittently'fed into a contiguous magazine a suitabledistance corresponding with the length of cigar to'be produced therefromand severed. The severed portion or section is'then advanced in saidmagazine-chamber, together with other previously-severed sections thenlying side' by side, by means of a yieldingly-mounted plunger, so as topress the front portion of the horizontal column of'sections intoa suit;ably-shaped open chamber or charging-pocket formed in the charging-headfollowed by severing or shearing ofi the charge of fillers in the headfrom the said column of sections lying in the magazine. The charge offillers is then discharged from the head into the usual bight formed inthe bunch-rolling apron, the action of the latter being to properly rollthe binder around the charge of fill ers, thus completing the bunch.

As before stated, my invention has relation to a cigar-bunching machinecapable of producing bunches from the whole or stripped leaves oftobacco, or long fillers, as they are termed, wherein the flattenedstrip or ribbon of tobacco iscut transversely across into sectionshaving the desired length andadapted later to be converted into bunchesin the same machine. The specific improvement forming the subject of thepresent application for patent resides in the new and novel mechanismfor severing the strip ofsuper posed leaves of tobacco into sectionswithout waste, and means for transferring the sections singly from thecutter or knife to an adjacent magazine or chamber in which aplunger ismounted, whereby the action of the latter forces the sections intosuitable filler receiving or charging pockets, all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth and claimed.

An objection or disadvantage inherent in the patented machine beforereferred to, as well as in other analogous machines of the class adaptedto produce bunches from a continuous strip of tobacco, is that incutting the sections from the strip a considerable amount of scrap-orwaste stock is produced, that is if the sections are to form buncheshaving a reduced diameter at the ends-as, for example, if the resultantcigars are to have a Perfecto shape. In the. said Gardner machine theforward end of the column of fillers is forced from the throat ormagazine into the charging chamber or pocket and severed from saidcolumn. The knife and mechanism for effecting the cutting operation areso constructed and arranged that a substantially V- shaped piece, orgore,as itis termed, is pro- The ver-j tically-reciprocating cutter orknife employed for this purpose may be made of suitable thin 1sheet-steel and having two or more deep l0ngitudinally-extendingV-shaped grooves 01" serrations formed therein. The size and depth ofthese grooves determine toa great extent the shape of the end'portionsof the bunches subsequently formed from the sections. As

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thus devised it will be apparent that the sections are produced withoutwaste. After each section has been thus produced or severed it is nextfed ahead or transferred to another plane, as desired, so as todisengage its rear end from the then stationary knife in order that thefollower or plunger may force said section sidewise past the cutter intothe magazine containing previously-cut sections. The sections are thusproduced without waste, since the serrations formed in the forward endare parallel with those formed in the rear end, or, in other words,theapex of the V at the outer end of the section corresponds with the baseor bottom of the V formed in the rear end.

In the accompanying five sheets of drawings, illustrating the portionsof an organized cigar-bunching machine embodying my improvement, Figure1 is a plan view in reduced scale. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionalview, enlarged, taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 1, showing the cutting-01fknife, &e., in the normal position preparatory to severing the sectionfrom the strip or ribbon of tobacco. Fig. 3 is a correspondingsectiontaken on line 2 2 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front view in partial sectionof the cutter-operating cam, taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is asimilar view of the cam employed for transferring the section whensevered, so as to register with the magazinechamber, said figurecorresponding with line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of theknife. Fig. 6% is a front elevation thereof. Fig. 7 is a plan view ofit. Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views corresponding with Figs. 2 and 3,respectively, but showing the severed section disengaged from the knifeand transferred to a lower plane, said Fig. 9 also showing the plungerin the act of forcing ahead the column of sections in the magazine. Fig.10 is a horizontal sectional view of the knife, showing the relation ofthe latter to the strip of tobacco while the knife is severing it andalso showing the rear portion of the column of previously-cut sectionslying in the magazine; and Fig. 11 is a sectional view somewhat similarto Fig. 2, but showinga modification of the transferring device. In thisarrangement the principle of the well-known four-motion feed used onsewing-machines is employed.

I would state. that while Fig. 1 is in general a plan view of the saidcigar-bunching machine patented to Henry K. Gardner it also, shows theimproved stock severing and transferring devices forming the subject ofthe present application for patent.

In the machine as shown in Fig. l the suitably-stripped leaves oftobacco are taken by the attendant from the table or bench b and placedin the traveling trough B in a superposed manner, the leaves overlappingone another and forming a continuous rope, which passes into a space 0formed between the adjacent surfaces of the upper and lower travelingbelts 0. These latter, &c., also constitute an ironing device 0 forpressing and flattening the rope of tobacco into a continuous strip orribbon t. A continuously-revolving barrel-cam D, combined with suitableintermediate mechanism, and driving-chain d are employed for operatingthe feeding and ironing devices. After the forward portion of theflattened strip of superposed leaves has been advanced and severed bythe cutting device A the sections thus cut are forced singly by asuitable plunger E into a glass-covered magazine m, communicating withthe tiller receiving or charging pockets of a cylinder G, a cutting-offdevice F being employed to sever the charge thus pressed into the pocketfrom the column of filler-sections in the magazine. The charge offillers is later discharged from the cylinder onto a flexible apron,which is employed not only for applying the binder to the charge offillers, but also to roll the whole into shape, thus completing thebunch. None of the foregoing devices, however, constitutes theimprovement described and claimed in this application, except the deviceA for severing the strip of tobacco into sections having the desiredlength. In my said device (see Figs. 2, 3, &c.) thecontinuouslyrevolving shaft u, mounted in framesf f,

has secured thereon the cam L for vertically reciprocating thestrip-severing knife or cutter K and also the cam M for transferring thesections of fillers singly from the plane of the travelingfeeding-trough to a lower plane, thereby disengaging the last-cutsection from the knife and placing it in position to be acted upon bythe plunger, one of the functions of the latter being to remove thesection sidewise from the section-carrier S into the stationary magazineregistering therewith.-

The front rolls a c, carrying the upper and lower bolts 0 of the ironingdevice 0, revolve in a suitable frame or housing secured to the bed f ofthe machine. is formed a space 0 for the strip t of tobacco in directcommunication with the fixed short guide or throat c c, terminating atthe back of and at right angles with the vertical knife K, soon to bedescribed. Said throat is also in direct communication with the openspace or chamber 0 of the section carrier or transferrer S. This latteris mounted to reciprocate vertically in a stationarygibbed frame bsecured to the base e and supported by the leg or side framef. Extendinghorizontally from the vertical head 1) of the carrier S is a ribbed armb reduced in thickness to form, in connection with the thin cover orplate b the said space a and having its length and width -such that theforwardportion of the strip or ribbon 15 may be readily introducedtherein and severed to form a filler-section t. A diagonal brace b isemployed for supporting the free end of the cover b.

The carrier S is 'reciprocated vertically by means of the grooved cam M,secured to the revolving shaft u. The lower portion of the carrier hasan extension b provided with a roll r in engagement with saidcam-groove.

Between said belts front point portions 7c.

Thelower portion of. the member b has an elongated opening b therein,through which the shaft freelypasses. As thus arranged it is obviousthat the carrier is properly guided while being actuated by the cam. Theknife-. holder at is mounted to reciprocate in a gibbed frame g,substantially as described with respect to the section-carrier. Theholder has an opening therethrough to freely receive the outer portionof the said throat or trough 0 The holder extends below thesupporting-frame e and is reduced inwidth at at, its lower end having anopening 03, through which the said shaft to extends. A grooved cam L,secured to this shaft, is employed for actuating the holder, the lattercarrying a roll r. in continuous engagementwiththe cam-groovein 'awell-known manner. The knife K is secured to the holder a and maintainedinposition by means of the clamp a The end thrust is resisted by a plate5 and adj listing-screw s, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The knifeor cutter K is, as drawn, substantially W shape cross-sectionally. Itmay be made of sheetsteel or other suitablematerial and havinglongitudinally extending corrugations or grooves, the form of the knifetransversely being such that in severing the strip 6 of tobaccoacorrespondingly irregular shape is produced in the ends of the sectionst of fillers. The lower or cutting end of the knife is formed so as toproduce a shearing effect that is, the end or edges 10 of .the outer oropposite sides are beveled and adapted to engage the strip of tobacco inadvance of the These latter (being two in number, as drawn, see Figs. 6,6%, and 7) next simultaneously engage the strip, fol-' lowed by thecutting action of the two converging rearwardly-extending edges ktermiuating at the apex k of the center member, the latter being thelast portion of the knife to enter the stri The continued action of theknife quickly and completely severs the section i from the thenstationary strip of fillers. In this position it will be apparent thatthe knife is interposed between the adjacent end ofthe section and thatof the strip from which it was severed. 1 may add that the ends of theupper and lower sides or walls of the chamber. c contiguous to the knifehave a corrugated form corresponding with the latter. A portion of thelower wall or base may consist of a removable steel plate kflthusforming a shear-plate for the knife.

' turn secn red to a revolving shaft u.

1 serves to maintain the roll against the cams When the bar isretracted, the knife then being elevated and the strip fedinto the;chamber 0 the rotation of the cam will raise the. bar sufficiently toforce the points of the the last-cut section of fillers from the carrierS and in the act of forcing it sidewise in the magazine to be laterconverted into bunches. Fig. 10 shows the relationof the parts while theknife is in action, the carrier S then being stationary.

As before stated, the function of the carrier is to separate or removethe filler-sections 25 from the knife, whereby they can be readilypressed into the magazine. It will be seen, Fig. 10, that the sectionmust be fully disengaged from the knife before it can be transferred tothe magazine. This may be effected by dropping it to a lower plane, asbefore described, or the section may first be carried endwisesufficiently to clear the knife, followed by transferring it to themagazine. In the latter case the section is not necessarily transferredto a different plane or level. In any event one of the objects sought tobe attained is to withdraw the severedsection from the knife, (thelatter meanwhile closing the feeder-passage,) so that the section can bereadily transferred to the magazine intact. Fig. 11 shows a device welladaptedto this purpose. The knife K, its holder (1, 850., areconstructed and actuated substantially as before described. Thesection-chamber cfllhowever, is stationary and forms pract-ically acontinuation of thestrip guide or channel 0 butadapted to be dividedtra'ns versely by the moving knife. The length of the chamber a is equal(in this case) to the length of the filler-section plus the thickness ofthe knife from point to base of its V or corrugation. The base 6 formingalso the lower side of the section-chamber, may have one or more narrowslits e therein for the passage of small spurs '0 secured to a.

guided movable bar 12', carrying a roll of in continuous engagement withthe cam 1), 111.

surface.

spurs 12 into the tobacco. After the knife has severed the section thecam forces the spring-pressed bar endwise or outwardly the desireddistance, thereby carrying the se'ction-beyond theinflnence of theknife. The

further combined action of the cam and spring dropsthe bar sufficientlyto withdraw the Aspring spurs from the section, after-which the plun'gerE may transfer the section from said chamber into the magazine, asbefore dcscribedw 1 I prefer to use a knife or cutter K having a formsubstantially as shown, although cut-f. ters having a different formtransversely maybe used, the shape of the cutter in any event being madewith respect to the amount of stock necessary or essential to be cutfrom the ends of the sections t and without'anywa'ste Whatever.Obviously the form of the knife determines to a great extent the shapeof the bunch to be produced and also to some degree the quantity oftobacco composing it. It will be seen that the sections when pressedinto the magazine would form a practically continuous or integral columnof fillers adapted to be cutlongitudinallyinto narrowersections to formbunches, as desired. The said narrow sections will have less stock inthe end portions than in the body or intermediate part that is, if thesections are of the same widthand irrespective of the location of thelines of division. Moreover, the sections in such case will bepractically alike in size, weight, and density. Owing to the fact thatthe fillersections are severed successively by the same knife K, it isclear that the points of the Vs of the forward end of the section willbe exactly opposite the bottom of the Vs formed in the rear end. Thesame relative arrangement is maintained when knives havinga differentform cross-sectionally are used.

\Vhile I have shown and described a knife having a specific form andalso specific devices for actuating the knife and for transferring thefiller-sections 25 into the magazine, I do not desire to thus limitmyself to them, as the same principle or functions may be attained byother means differing somewhat in construction and manner of operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent, is

1. In a cigar-bnnching machine, the combination with means for feedingthe suitablyprepared leaves of tobacco arranged in the form of a stripor ribbon t, and a magazine m, of an intermittingly-operating knife Kfor severing said strip into filler-sections t, the form of said knifetransversely being serrated or zigzag, thereby producing filler-sectionshaving correspondingly shaped ends and adapted later to be convertedinto bunches Without waste, and means for transferring the cutfiller-section away from the said ribbon and knife into saidmagazine,substantially as described.

2. Ina cigar-bunching machine, the combination with the feeding troughor chamber, means for feeding therethrough the tobacco arranged in theform of a strip or ribbon t, and a magazine on, of themechanically-actuated knife K having an irregular form transverselyarranged to sever the said strip into filler-sections havingirregular-shaped ends, the counterpart of said knife, means fordisengaging the severed sections singly from the knife and means fortransferring them into said magazine, substantially as described.

3. In a cigar-bunching machine, a feeding chamber or trough for thesuperposed leaves or ribbon i of tobacco,the magazinem arranged at rightangles with said trough, a mechanically-actuated charging cylinder ormember normally communicating with said magazine, in combination with anintermittingly-operating initial cutting-knife K having an irregularform transversely located contiguous to the mouth of said trough forsevering the said ribbon into filler-sections 25 having the shape oftheir ends the counterpart of the said knife, mechanism for transferringthe severed sections singly from the knife into the said magazine andinto the said cylinder, and a mechanically-actuated secondary cutter orknife interposed between the magazine and cylinder, all constructed andarranged whereby the charge in the cylinder, as cut longitudinally fromsaid filler-section has an approximate shape of the cigar, substantiallyas described.

at. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination with thefeeding-chamber c for the superposed leaves or ribbon t of tobacco, amagazine 171 located in a lower plane than the feeding-chamber and asuitably mounted and controlled plunger E, of the reciprocatingcorrugated knife K for severing said ribbon into filler-sections withoutwaste, a reciprocating section-carrier S suitably timed with respect tosaid knife having a chamber 0 therein adapted to receive the sectionssingly and to register with the magazine, whereby the said plunger iscapable of discharging the section from the carrier into the magazine.

5. A knife for severing a strip of superposed leaves of tobacco intosections having a predetermined length, the said knife having anirregular or corrugated form crosssectionally and further having therear portion of the cutting edge of the two outer sides or wings of theknife somewhat lower than the intermediate cutting edges h thereby notonly producing a shearing effect but also adapting the said wings toengage the strip of tobacco in advance of the said intermediate portionof the knife.

6. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination with the feeder member 0for the strip 25 of fillers and a section-carrier adapted to receive theforward portion of said strip from the feeder, of a knife having acorrugated form cross-sectionally adapted to pass between the adjacentends of said feeder and carrier in severing said portion of the stripresting in the carrier to form a filler-section, a holder having saidknife secured thereto and provided with an opening for the feedermember, means for intermittingly reciprocating the holder, and means fortransferring the filler-section from the carrier.

Signed at Providence, Rhode Island, this 18th day of June, 1901.

MICHAEL M. GARDNER.

Witnesses:

GEO. II. REMINGTON, STEPHEN O. HARRIS.

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